Too many classes at National Championship?

**Wingnut** · 9th February 2011, 20:33

Hey Drew - What part of Levels is the "Bus Stop"? Is it the esses entering the front straight?

Great thread by the way...

**scracha** · 9th February 2011, 20:48

Originally Posted by Kickaha

They actually had a fair amount of race experience just not on sidecars, the reality is I can race my bucket and nothing else for ten years then buy a Superbike and race at the nationals

So could I. But you've missed the point I was making.

Originally Posted by Kickaha

No we don't if you have your own transponder you don't pay a transponder fee

Paeroa. But again, that wasn't my main point.

Originally Posted by Kickaha

I was talking to a American sidecar rider Monday night he said he has a 2200 mile drive to get to one of their rounds

America has a far higher per capita income than our islands and gas and accommodation are cheaper. Presumably they've got their act together with regards to promotion and sponsorship. There's also the fact that their pool of riders come from a population of over 300 million. Last but not least, every fule know sidecar riders are strange perverted creatures who probably get their kicks from driving long distances for a few minutes of racing.

Originally Posted by Kickaha

Got the numbers to back that statement up?

No, but I got told that 3 million kiwi's live in the north island, and half of them are above Hamilton. So I put 2 and 2 together but it doesn't make 4 in this case. Anyway, you've again totally missed what I thought was a very obvious point.

I'll spell it out for you.

Nobody watches our races.
Most people can't afford to race.
Most people who can afford to race, can't afford the time off and expense of travelling between islands.
We need to get our shit together and address the above points.

**Drew** · 9th February 2011, 20:56

Originally Posted by Wingnut

Hey Drew - What part of Levels is the "Bus Stop"? Is it the esses entering the front straight?

Great thread by the way...

Yeah, they must be an add on because the track can be run without them.

**Kickaha** · 9th February 2011, 20:59

Originally Posted by Drew

Yeah, they must be an add on because the track can be run without them.

Cars don't use it, I think they run the bikes through it to slow entry onto the start/finish straight although it doesn't feel very slow when you're sliding along there on your arse

**Drew** · 9th February 2011, 21:05

Originally Posted by Kickaha

Cars don't use it, I think they run the bikes through it to slow entry onto the start/finish straight although it doesn't feel very slow when you're sliding along there on your arse

Mkaes a bit of sense, cos without it turns one offs would make their way right across and back onto the sweaper.

**lostinflyz** · 9th February 2011, 21:53

Originally Posted by scracha

I'll spell it out for you.

Nobody watches our races.
Most people can't afford to race.
Most people who can afford to race, can't afford the time off and expense of travelling between islands.
We need to get our shit together and address the above points.

1.) says who??? what do you expect. packed paddocks with 100000 people?? 1000??? 2???
2.) Theres at least 100+ odd racers on the weekend (and the weekend before) that condradict you. if you wanna race, you will afford it, you will make it happen. harden up
3.) See B above, most at levels were at invercargill, and ill place a bet on ruapuna, and there a fair few from up that way down here and a fair few going up too
4.) You need to get your shit together and sort yourself out, theres plenty of us who are doing fine thanks.

as for your comments re organisation, you only have to look around the world, esp. the USA to see very good riders not doing anything cause they can't bring money to teams to run them. there ain't no sponsorship there. And sure somethings may be cheaper, but i seriously doubt it takes less time, effort, cash or leave to compete at a serious level.

**lostinflyz** · 9th February 2011, 22:02

Originally Posted by Drew

Mkaes a bit of sense, cos without it turns one offs would make their way right across and back onto the sweaper.

that, and could you imagine the speed of a superbike through the kink, with the wall as your only run off??

**Shaun** · 10th February 2011, 06:49

Originally Posted by Drew

I don't question your head injuries Shaun, infact I submit there might have been some before the ones the doctor gave you a note for.

I have no ideas for growing the sport, but I am passionate about it still, and since I'm a scone doer, I'll do my scone when fuckwits suggest shit that I think is dumb. So most the time you post like.

You are a fantastic rider man, and Jimmy says an even better coach. For that I respect you, but your not someone I could ever like, and wouldn't expect to be liked back. So when you say something that gets under my skin, I'll always call you on it.

Live long and prosper.

Like me dislike me, that is your call of course Drew. I Know you are passionate about the sport, but so is Marcus and so have I been for the last 24 years and will be for another if I am alive.

If I come accross as a " Know it all" That is probally due to my charactuer and the fact that I DO KNOW A LOT after 24 years in the sport and are not afraid to speak up about issues I see, ie, for how many years have I SAID PUKEKOHE is a killer track weighting to happen?

My decision to race the infimious Isle of Man TT track, was always done with the clarity that I may NOT be coming back after giving 100% every time,( Which I was fully prepared for) BUT that was " as you say" The Individuals choice!

Timaru chicane is Dodgy YES, but every year I have raced there, I have helped PUT the Bales that were always there in place in case of an accident, I do not know what happened there this year as I was not there as I take NO part in the nationals any longer after being ripped off and Lied to by certain people out there racing.

What I was trying to suggest to you was, instead of just Criticising people on here about there input and thoughts ( Which any moron can do just like Parliment) PLEASE come up with some heallthy positive feed back for others to think about.

Re your coment on my Previous head injuries " CORRECT"

It is diagnosed as BIPOLAR

So very well done DOCTOR! Do not worry though, I take me meds every day like a good boy now.

PS, thankyou for the positive comments about my past riding.

NW FUK off and get another job and pay your racing bills

**Grumph** · 10th February 2011, 09:04

Originally Posted by lostinflyz

that, and could you imagine the speed of a superbike through the kink, with the wall as your only run off??

Correct - the use of the esses reduces entry speed onto the start/finish straight and also approach speed to the turn 1/2 complex.
The serious crashes I remember along the start/finish involved guys getting on the grass and then tangled in their own bikes or run over...I've never seen anyone actually hit the wall there.
I can't remember if the esses bypass sweeper was there originally - certainly the cars used the esses for years until there were incidents and complaints it was too narrow for safety, then they went to the fast sweeper.

**Shaun** · 10th February 2011, 11:19

Regarding the esses at Timaru, JOHN HEPBURN personally put up the Air fence and extra protection there this year as he has done for many many years off his own back, as like myself, John is very concerned for rider protection, and does what he can to help, he knows as a rider the potentuall impact points, and places them accordingly.

Any one that winges about them, should get off there own Fnnnnn arse and do some thing about it, instead of weighting untill it is to late to modify or improve.

Thanks John Hepburn for your support in NZ Racing

**White trash** · 10th February 2011, 11:48

Originally Posted by Shaun

Like me dislike me, that is your call of course Drew. I Know you are passionate about the sport, but so is Marcus and so have I been for the last 24 years and will be for another if I am alive.

If I come accross as a " Know it all" That is probally due to my charactuer and the fact that I DO KNOW A LOT after 24 years in the sport and are not afraid to speak up about issues I see, ie, for how many years have I SAID PUKEKOHE is a killer track weighting to happen?

My decision to race the infimious Isle of Man TT track, was always done with the clarity that I may NOT be coming back after giving 100% every time,( Which I was fully prepared for) BUT that was " as you say" The Individuals choice!

Timaru chicane is Dodgy YES, but every year I have raced there, I have helped PUT the Bales that were always there in place in case of an accident, I do not know what happened there this year as I was not there as I take NO part in the nationals any longer after being ripped off and Lied to by certain people out there racing.

What I was trying to suggest to you was, instead of just Criticising people on here about there input and thoughts ( Which any moron can do just like Parliment) PLEASE come up with some heallthy positive feed back for others to think about.

Re your coment on my Previous head injuries " CORRECT"

It is diagnosed as BIPOLAR

So very well done DOCTOR! Do not worry though, I take me meds every day like a good boy now.

PS, thankyou for the positive comments about my past riding.

NW FUK off and get another job and pay your racing bills

LOL. I love you and Drew like brothers..... oh wait......

**Shaun** · 10th February 2011, 12:57

Originally Posted by White trash

LOL. I love you and Drew like brothers..... oh wait......

You an't getting in my bed prick

**R6_kid:Me** · 10th February 2011, 13:02

there was recently a classics festival held at Phillip Island, not sure how many classes were raced in total but each class got four races each, ranging from 7-10 laps.